“What’s a ‘Paige VanZant’?” I muttered to myself after receiving the news.

It was two weeks before my trip to Corpus Christi, Texas, this past June when I found out Jordan Nicole Gaza finally got her late replacement opponent for the “UWF: Tournament of Warriors Finale” event. I was scheduled to put together a behind-the-scenes feature on local product Gaza’s professional debut.

The antagonist would be Nevada-based, Reno Academy of Combat product Paige VanZant, who would kick off her career the same evening.

VanZant, an unknown commodity at the time, was expected to be a warm body for the former 115-pound Tuff N’ Uff amateur champion to do pretty much what she pleased with. It was supposed to be a grand soiree for Gaza, a rite of passage celebration amongst family, friends and hometown supporters.

Conversely, VanZant had flown to town with one sponsor across her front, and a single cornerman at her back. Furthermore, she had what I identified as something akin to a “deer in headlights” look during fight week. None of the aesthetics were good.

But the ball was ultimately in her court. She could put on a good performance, lose a decision, and get a pat on the back for her efforts. Or better yet, she could seize the opportunity to plant her flag on the MMA landscape and create a stepping stone toward greener pastures in a promotion like Invicta FC.

She chose the latter.

VanZant would see to it the story I was crafting would not have a happy ending.

Will the real Paige please stand up?

I found out exactly what a “Paige VanZant” was at weigh-ins the day before the event.

She was a 5-foot-4 strawweight with bright blonde hair and a radiant smile. I learned the 18-year-old was a part-time model in addition to being a full-time MMA fighter. Two months prior, she recorded a submission win over Morgan Hunter in her only amateur fight. Gaza, on the other hand, had seven amateur contests to her credit.

Fair or unfair, I made a snap judgment about VanZant. It’s only human nature, right?

It was likely a combination of things – the whirlwind circumstances, the sponsor I had never heard of, her one teammate, Taylor Stratford, standing just off stage, and that “look.” That “what the hell have I gotten myself into?” expression.

I came to the conclusion I didn’t like her chances when the cage door closed. I was pretty certain I had her figured out, despite the fact that I had never seen her in person up to this point or spoken a single word to her. However, part of me felt like Gaza was processing these pieces of “information” similarly.

“I think that people do judge me based on my looks and maybe based on my demeanor,” VanZant told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “But I think fighting should be fun, and I don’t think it should be something where you have to be mad to fight or pissed off or anything like that.”

Following weigh-ins, the fighters were scheduled for a public appearance at a nearby Hooters restaurant to mingle with fans and sign autographs.

People came one-by-one up to Gaza’s table. Meanwhile, seated no more than 20 feet away were VanZant and Stratford. It was clear nobody knew who the pair was (or cared), but they appeared content to entertain one another to pass the time. They made the most out of what had to have been an awkward situation on some level.

I went over and introduced myself, and remember VanZant telling me the intention was not to turn pro so soon, but after discussing with her inner circle, she jumped on it.

“The gym (Reno Academy of Combat) that I came from, they want you to have 10 amateur fights before you go pro, which makes a lot of sense,” she said, holding back a laugh.

“The opportunity was too good to pass up at the time. The main goal for fighters is to go pro and start being paid for the sport that you fall in love with. I was offered the opportunity and my coach thought I was ready, my training partners thought I was ready, and I thought, ‘Why not?'”

Twenty-four hours later, I found out I was dead wrong on just about everything I thought I knew about her.

Screams of joy reverberate

Following three three-minute rounds of close action, the judges awarded VanZant the split decision over a dejected Gaza.

What I had originally identified as naiveté and general weakness was really a manifestation of a relaxed state, genuine excitement to compete and a quiet confidence.

VanZant had gone ahead and shown me and everyone else in town who she really was – a gritty competitor with a fighting spirit that goes a long way in her finding a way to the winner’s circle.

“Mentally tough” is how I should have been describing her all along.

“I get (mental strength) from both my family and my faith,” VanZant said. “I know that going into the cage I always have God on my side. I get it from my family too. They support me in whatever I do. And they don’t care. If I’m losing every single fight, that’s fine. If I’m having fun doing it they are going to back me up and support me through all of it. They just want me to be 100 percent into whatever I try and put my entire heart into it. They push me very, very hard to be successful.”

My lasting memory from the trip to Texas was VanZant and Stratford bursting into their locker room after the fight and screaming at the top of their lungs in celebration so loud it echoed down the entire hallway.

For anyone who thought VanZant didn’t deserve the decision, or it was some sort of fluke, she shut the remaining doubters up with another quality win in short order.

Two months later she was back in the Lone Star State on short notice to face another Texas native in Amber Stautzenberger, who was making her pro debut this time.

VanZant had moved from Reno to Las Vegas a month after the Gaza fight to begin training at House of Ryu. In another “Why not?” situation just over two weeks out once again, she was headed back to the South to compete.

This time, she won in unanimous fashion across three judges’ scorecards. Lightning struck twice. It wasn’t a fluke. It was a pattern.

Invicta FC soon came calling with a contract offer.

Welcome to the big leagues

It’s kind of fitting VanZant would sign on the dotted line and be immediately thrown to the wolves.

Torres is one of the elite up-and-comers in all of women’s MMA, and has an extensive combat sports background. She accumulated a 16-4 combined record in kickboxing and muay Thai, and a 7-0 record as an amateur MMA fighter to go along with her one pro win to date. That’s 28 total combat sports contests to VanZant’s three, if you’re scoring at home.

The odds will be stacked against VanZant for the third time in as many fights. What else is new?

At first glance, it seems like a waste, potentially stunting the growth of one rising prospect at the expense of another. It’s like when Phil Davis fought Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 112 very early in both of their careers. What’s the point? Some fighters never quite recover from being ushered along incorrectly, although Gustafsson has progressed quite swimmingly since.

On second thought, maybe matchmaker Janet Martin really is putting her squarely in her comfort zone. VanZant wouldn’t know what it feels like to have anything other than a tall task in front of her.

“I go into every fight as the underdog,” VanZant said. “It just means she’s not going to expect what’s coming. I know Tecia is an amazing fighter and she’s going to be my toughest fighter to date. But I have had a lot more time to get ready and prepare to fight just her.”

Ten weeks, to be exact (or roughly eight more than she’s ever had to prepare for a fight).

“All my new training partners have adapted to her style,” VanZant said, including Stratford who recently moved to Las Vegas to join the team. “I definitely see her wanting to stand it up, and I am confident in my standup, but I also know if it goes to the ground I am fine with that as well.”

This is the part where I say you’re welcome to go ahead and doubt VanZant’s chances, underestimate her, form an impression. Just know it hasn’t served anyone well yet.

“It’s nice to always know I have to go in and prove myself,” VanZant said.